How to Remove Kaspersky Completely from Windows

Whether you are switching security products or simply cleaning up a PC, Kaspersky can be surprisingly persistent. The main app uninstalls from Settings, but its VPN, password manager, drivers and data folders often stay behind. This guide shows you how to remove Kaspersky completely from Windows 11 and Windows 10 using the official kavremover tool, then verify nothing is left.

What a normal Kaspersky uninstall misses#

Kaspersky products such as Kaspersky Standard, Plus, Premium, Internet Security and Total Security install multiple components:

• Network and file system drivers for scanning and the firewall
• Services that run with self-defense enabled
• Separate apps such as Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection and Kaspersky Password Manager
• Data folders under C:\ProgramData\Kaspersky Lab holding settings, quarantine and license info
• Browser extensions for protection and safe banking

A partial removal can leave Windows Security reporting that Kaspersky is off, or prevent another antivirus from installing.

Step 1: Turn off self-defense and exit Kaspersky#

Self-defense protects Kaspersky's files and processes from modification.

1. Open Kaspersky and go to Settings.
2. Look for the self-defense option (in recent versions under Security settings or General settings, depending on the product) and turn it off if it is available.
3. Right-click the Kaspersky icon in the system tray and choose Exit.

Menu locations vary between Kaspersky editions. If you cannot find the option, continue; kavremover is designed to work regardless.

Step 2: Uninstall Kaspersky from Windows Settings#

1. Press Win + I and open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Search for "Kaspersky".
3. Select your main Kaspersky product and choose Uninstall.
4. In the Kaspersky wizard, untick the options to save license information, settings and quarantined objects if you want a completely clean removal.
5. Finish the wizard and restart.

After the restart, uninstall any remaining entries such as Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, Kaspersky Password Manager or Kaspersky Safe Kids.

Step 3: Run the Kaspersky removal tool (kavremover)#

Kaspersky provides an official cleanup utility called kavremover for incomplete or failed uninstalls.

1. Download kavremover from Kaspersky's official support site only.
2. Right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
3. Accept the license agreement.
4. Enter the security code shown in the image.
5. Select your Kaspersky product from the list, or let it detect installed products.
6. Click Remove and wait for the confirmation message.
7. Restart the PC.

Step 4: Delete leftover Kaspersky files#

Check these locations for anything kavremover left behind:

C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab
C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab
C:\ProgramData\Kaspersky Lab
C:\ProgramData\Kaspersky Lab Setup Files
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Kaspersky Lab
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Kaspersky Lab

Delete any Kaspersky folders you find. If a file is locked, a Kaspersky service is still running; restart and run kavremover again before forcing deletion.

Services, tasks and registry

Open services.msc and confirm no Kaspersky services remain. Check Task Scheduler for Kaspersky update tasks.

In regedit, check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\KasperskyLab, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\KasperskyLab and the Uninstall key for orphaned Kaspersky entries.

Step 5: Remove Kaspersky browser extensions#

Open your browser's extension page and remove Kaspersky Protection and any related add-ons:

• Chrome: chrome://extensions
• Edge: edge://extensions
• Firefox: about:addons

Step 6: Re-enable Microsoft Defender and the firewall#

Kaspersky replaces both Windows' antivirus and, in many editions, the firewall. After removal:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. In Virus & threat protection, make sure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is active and Real-time protection is On.
3. In Firewall & network protection, confirm the firewall is on for your active network.
4. Run Check for updates and a Quick scan.

Remove Kaspersky in one pass with UniClean#

UniClean's Antivirus Remover supports Kaspersky alongside McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender and ESET. It deals with self-protection by stopping protected services or scheduling removal at the next boot, then sweeps drivers, services, tasks, folders and registry keys.

Each item found is labelled Safe, Caution or High Risk using UniClean's risk tiers, and drivers and security components are always backed up into the encrypted Recovery Vault first. If anything goes wrong, restore it with one click, even after a restart. UniClean is free, needs no account and runs offline. Download UniClean, or keep our Kaspersky removal guide handy as a checklist.

Troubleshooting Kaspersky removal#

The uninstall wizard asks for a password

Some Kaspersky products let you password-protect settings and removal. Enter the password you set, or reset it from within the app if you have access. If you are locked out, kavremover is the supported way to remove the product.

kavremover does not list your product

Make sure you have the latest version of kavremover from Kaspersky's support site; older copies may not recognize newer product versions. Run it as administrator and let it auto-detect what is installed.

"Incompatible software" when installing another antivirus

Kaspersky components are still registered. Restart, rerun kavremover, and check services.msc and C:\ProgramData\Kaspersky Lab for remnants before installing the new product.

No internet after removal

Kaspersky's network filter driver is sometimes left in a half-removed state, which can interrupt connectivity. Restart first. If the problem persists, open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings and use Network reset, then restart again.

Kaspersky on a work PC

If your Kaspersky installation is managed by your employer through a central console, local removal may be blocked or reversed by policy. Ask your IT team before removing it from a managed device.

Summary#

To remove Kaspersky completely, turn off self-defense, uninstall the main product and its companion apps, run kavremover, delete leftover folders and extensions, and confirm Microsoft Defender and the Windows firewall are protecting you. The same approach works for other suites; our Avast removal guide covers a similar process with Avast Clear.